Exploring the state’s rugged terrain offers a unique opportunity to discover petrified wood, a fossilized treasure from ancient forests. With the right tips, you’ll be ready to embark on your own adventure and uncover these fascinating remnants of prehistoric life.

Knowing where to look and what to expect will increase your chances of spotting these remarkable pieces scattered across this great state’s terrain!

Petrified wood you can find in the US

In the United States, several types of petrified wood can be found, each with unique characteristics based on the original tree species and the minerals involved in the fossilization process. Here are some of the types you’ll be able to find.

Araucarioxylon

Found in the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, this is one of the most famous types of petrified wood. It comes from an extinct species of conifer. As Arizona’s state fossil, Araucarioxylon holds a special place in the state’s natural history.

These trees once formed vast forests during the Late Triassic period, about 225 million years ago. The vibrant colors in this petrified wood come from minerals that replaced the original tree material over time.

Metasequoia

Often referred to as dawn redwood, this type of petrified wood can be found in various parts of the U.S., including the Pacific Northwest. Metasequoia was once thought to be extinct until living trees were later discovered in China.

Furthermore, its fine grain and reddish-brown color are characteristic features.

Palmoxylon

This petrified wood originates from palm trees and is often found in the Gulf Coast states like Texas and Louisiana. Recognized as the state stone of Texas, Palmoxylon is abundant and holds cultural significance.

The wood’s unique speckled or dotted pattern comes from the vascular bundles of the original palm tree. These fossils date back to the Cretaceous period, when the area was tropical and teeming with life.

Taxodium

Also known as bald cypress, this petrified wood can be found in the southeastern U.S., particularly in areas that were once swampy. Taxodium wood is often found in places that were ancient swamps, where these trees thrived millions of years ago.

The wood is durable and shows intricate grain patterns, with growth rings and knotholes that tell the story of its long history. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the wet environments that once dominated the Southeast.

Sequoioxylon

Petrified wood from ancient sequoia trees, found in places like California, where sequoia forests once thrived. These trees are the ancestors of the giant sequoias that still stand in California today.

The petrified wood is notable for its large, straight grain and reddish color, reflecting the immense size and age of the original trees.

Ginkgoxylon

Petrified wood from ancient ginkgo trees, which can sometimes be found in states like Oregon and Washington. Ginkgo is one of the oldest tree species on Earth, with fossils dating back over 200 million years.

Ginkgo petrified wood often has a light color and may show patterns similar to the fan-shaped leaves of the living ginkgo.

Dicotyledonous Wood

Found across various states, this type of petrified wood comes from broadleaf trees, making it more common and varied in appearance. You can spot dicotyledonous wood by the distinct vessels and growth rings that indicate seasonal changes.

This type of petrified wood is often found in regions that were once temperate forests, offering clues about the diverse plant life that existed millions of years ago.

Piceoxylon

Petrified wood from ancient spruce trees, commonly found in areas like Wyoming and Montana, where coniferous forests once thrived. Piceoxylon is known for its straight grain and pale color, often showing growth rings that tell the tree’s life story.

These trees were part of the ancient boreal forests that covered large parts of North America during cooler periods.

A Quick Request About Collecting

What Rough Petrified Wood Looks Like

Most of the photos you find of petrified wood are pieces that have been cut and polished. That is certainly useful but isn’t super helpful once you are out in the field. This is what you should look out for once you start hunting:

Exteriors like this

Every type of petrified wood has a different exterior and pattern but this is a good starting point on what to look for.

Texture and grain patterns

One of the most distinctive features to look for is the texture and grain patterns. Petrified wood often retains the original structure of the tree, including the grain, knots, and even growth rings. These patterns can appear similar to modern wood but are typically more rigid and fossilized.

Examine the surface for any linear patterns or striations that indicate the original wood grain. The texture may feel smoother or more polished in certain areas where mineralization has created a glassy effect.

Coloration and mineralization

The color of petrified wood can vary significantly due to the minerals that replaced the organic material during the fossilization process. Common colors include shades of brown, red, yellow, orange, and black.

Some pieces might even exhibit multiple colors in intricate patterns. These colors are often more vivid and diverse than those found in regular rocks. When inspecting potential petrified wood, look for these distinct and varied hues, which can indicate the presence of different minerals such as silica, iron, manganese, and others that contributed to the petrification process.

Bark and exterior features

Another telltale sign of petrified wood is the presence of bark impressions or external textures that resemble tree bark. These features are often well-preserved and can include the rough, fibrous texture of bark, knots, or other surface irregularities typical of natural wood.

The exterior of rough petrified wood may also have a weathered appearance, with cracks and fractures that occurred as the wood fossilized over millions of years. Look closely for these natural wood features, as they can be a strong indicator that you have found a piece of petrified wood.

Weight and density

Petrified wood is typically much heavier and denser than regular wood due to the mineralization process. When rockhounding, pick up the specimen to feel its weight. Even small pieces of petrified wood will feel significantly heavier than an equivalent-sized piece of non-fossilized wood.

This increased density is due to the replacement of organic material with minerals, making petrified wood feel more like a rock than wood. Comparing the weight and density of your find with known samples of petrified wood can help confirm its authenticity.

General Areas To Try First

Before we get into the specific places you should be looking we wanted to give you some more general advice. Once you get to your hunting area you should head straight for these areas if you want to have the best results:

Lakeshores

Lakeshores are like natural garbage cans because all things wash up and get left there over time. That includes wood that has turned to stone. As the water rises and falls, it carries sediment and rocks. It also takes the fossilized remains of trees from long ago.

Most lakeshores have a variety of rocks and minerals, which makes them an excellent place for petrified wood to grow and thrive. You’ll find a nice mix of sedimentary and volcanic rocks, the best sites for preserving wood fossils.

Roadcuts

When building roads, parts of the ground are often cut away to make a smooth path. The magic happens when the road cuts through layers of rock and soil. Petrified wood is often buried deep underground, and roadcuts let us see these underground wonders.

As workers blast through the rock layers, they accidentally find petrified wood that has been there for hundreds of years. Petrified wood is easy for collectors to spot because the exposed rock layers of roadcuts make it easy to see its unique patterns and colors.

Streams and creeks

Streams and creeks can move loose sediment away, which can reveal old wood that has turned to stone. As the water moves around, it exposes small pieces or even more significant amounts of petrified wood that have settled on the streambed.

Streams and creeks are more accessible for collectors because they are not as big. You can easily walk along their banks, jump from rock to rock, and look for petrified wood at the water’s edge.

River beds

Riverbeds are excellent for finding petrified wood due to their unique geological and environmental conditions. Rapid burial by sediments like sand, silt, and mud protects fallen trees from decay, initiating the fossilization process.

Mineral-rich waters flowing through rivers facilitate the replacement of organic material with minerals such as silica, turning wood into stone. Over time, erosion exposes these buried treasures, making them accessible for discovery.

This dynamic environment, with constant sediment deposition and mineral infiltration, creates ideal conditions for the formation and eventual exposure of petrified wood.

The Best Locations For Finding Petrified Wood in Idaho

Exploring the top places in the state can significantly boost your chances of finding crystals. By focusing your search on these well-regarded locations, you’ll be well on your way to uncovering some of the state’s hidden gems.

Little Wood Reservoir

Little Wood Reservoir, nestled at the base of the majestic Pioneer Mountains, is a hub for boating and fishing enthusiasts. It’s a 360-acre body of water with 9 miles of shoreline and is fed by the Little Wood River.

It offers abundant fishing opportunities with stocks of rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout. As the river continues its journey, it flows through multiple counties, eventually joining the Big Wood River to form the Malad River.

Malm Gulch Petrified Forest

Malm Gulch once resembled today’s Pacific Coast, being cool and wet, populated by Redwoods and Sequoias. Volcanic activity drastically altered this landscape, covering it with ash that petrified the forest, turning wood into stone.

Today, visitors to Malm Gulch will find a dry, arid landscape dotted with huge petrified tree stumps.

The Bureau of Land Management has fenced off these irreplaceable stumps to protect them from loss and damage.

Kendrick

Kendrick was originally founded by Thomas Kirby in 1889 and initially called Latah or Latah City. Today, Kendrick is a small community of just over 300 residents, situated in a canyon valley along the Potlatch River, surrounded by pine, fir, and cedar trees.

The city benefits from rich soil and a natural environment that supports the growth of grains, fruits, and vegetables, as well as thriving livestock.

Owyhee County

Owyhee County is part of a larger metropolitan area and includes over half of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation, which stretches into Nevada. The reservation is predominantly inhabited by the Shoshone-Paiute Tribe.

The landscape of the county is characterized by high intermountain desert, covered in sagebrush and dotted with basalt canyons. Dominating the western horizon are the Owyhee Mountains, with Hayden Peak rising to 8,403 feet.

Meanwhile, the Snake River marks the county’s lowest elevation at just above 2,000 feet along the northwest border.

Weiser

Weiser serves as the county seat of Washington County and is known for its mild climate which supports a variety of agricultural activities including farming, orcharding, and livestock.

The city is situated at the meeting point of the Weiser and Snake Rivers, with the latter forming a natural boundary with Oregon.

Additionally, the city boasts several historic buildings such as the Galloway House, Pythian Castle, and the Union Pacific Train Depot, all listed on the National Historic Register.

Our Other Favorite Places For Petrified Wood

Let’s explore some more of the best areas in Idaho where you can find petrified wood in the wild.

Common Questions About Finding Petrified Wood In Idaho

There’s a lot to learn about Idaho’s petrified wood, so here are some common questions.

How old is petrified wood in Idaho?

Petrified wood in Idaho varies in age, with some pieces dating back as far as over 100 million years. The age of these fossils can vary depending on where they are found within the state.

Can you find petrified palm wood in Idaho?

Petrified palm wood is not typically found in Idaho, as the state’s climate and historical conditions were not conducive to the growth of palm trees. Most petrified palm wood in the United States is found in regions like Texas and Louisiana.

The Best Petrified Wood Shops In Idaho

Explore the best places in Idaho to purchase petrified wood for your collection:

• Idaho Rocks and Gems – 1150 N Orchard St, Boise, ID 83706, United States
• Earth Brite Rock Shop – 3506 Cleveland Blvd, Caldwell, ID 83605
• Astro Gallery of Gems Idaho – 3573 E Longwing Ln STE 125, Meridian, ID 83642
• Idaho Rock Shop – 204 Washington St, Gooding, ID 83330
• Granite Mountain Nature Gallery – 305 Park St Ste A, McCall, ID 83638